𝐋 𝐈 𝐄 𝐒.

0 1.

Philadelphia.
April 20th, 2001.
Ace.

The season was up. It was all over. Again. I loved playing ball, but at times like this — I hated it. I wanted to win. I wanted championships, not another loss to the same team that we played all season. But at the same time, why should I be complaining for? I get to do what I literally dreamt of when I was young, I get payed millions to do it, and I'm one of the hottest out here right now. I really couldn't complain at all, but the feelings I had were making me think otherwise.

"Ace, you ready to head out or do you need some more time by yourself?"

"Nah, I'm ready to go. Media still hot out there?"

"Mm, yeah. Look, just ignore it. You don't gotta answer to them..."

I waited for some security to come by so I could exit the building.

"Mr. Carter, how did you guys manage to lose the—"

" No questions tonight...thank you." I say, moving my through the herd of paparazzi and cameras. The cameras were all in my face, and it was really irritating me, but I did my best to ignore it all. I was relieved when I finally got to the car.

"Shit man. It's just too much going on right now.."

"Look Ace, you're gonna have to learn how to deal with the media being like that..and you can't expect any less now, especially since you guys just lost and are out of the playoffs." Bradley says as he got in the car. He's been my official agent ever since I signed.

"Where are we headed to Mr. Carter?"

" To the crib."

" Are you sure you don't want to go to Ricky's? I remember you telling me—"

" Didn't I just say where to go?"

I shook my head, putting my headphones on as we pull away from the arena. This was the team's first year losing to Milwaukee in the playoffs. On top of that surprise, it was first round too! I don't know how we could have even allow it to happen, but it did. We never lost to them in the regular season, so something like this was just bizarre to everyone. I felt like none of this would've even happened if I hadn't missed the first two games in the series. But that only happened because my hand was sprained. It was so much running through my mind right now, and thinking about the season wasn't doing nothing but draining me.

Following morning ,
11 am.

I woke up to the sound of my ongoing alarm. I didn't even feel like reaching across to stop if from going off. I just wanted to lay down and just have some time to think about my life. Just having a career as a celebrity was already hectic, so having time for myself was always crucial. But my life outside of that is just as wild though.

Difference is, I know I got it all in control. Only the lord would know where I would be if I didn't have control. I gather myself together and got out of bed. I turned my snoozing alarm off and got to my daily morning routine.

It was kind of weird for me to ever have time like this to myself, but it did feel good to have it on me. Time being this way was gonna come up short though, especially since the season was over. I had real business to take care of— and it helped not only me, but my image and my reputation all over.

As I gulp down another glass of orange juice, I heard my phone ring, picking it up without question.

"Hello?"

"Ace? I been calling yo ass all night! What happened to you bruh?"

" I was tired bruh..plus, that loss took a toll on me."

" Damn man...shit, that must've been tough huh?"

" yeah....but enough about all that...What's good with you?"

" Nothing much man... was expecting you last night. Had some big money symbols walking in man...and they was lookin' for you.."

" Damn! I forgot all about that shit man..."

" don't worry about it g.....you can make it all up if you come this set that's happening Friday night.."

" Friday? Man, you know I gotta meet up with Sandra and watch—..."

" man, bump that! You gotta make this dough bruh...you forgot about all the shit you got on line bruh?"

" man I'll see what I can do...look, I gotta talk to you later. Someone is at the door...."

I hung up the phone before Ricky could say anything else. I look through my cameras, seeing who was at the door before getting it.

" Sandra...wh-what are doing here?"

" Something came up on Friday for me...and I was trying to tell you that, but you didn't pick up your pager. I wonder why..." the woman said, her eyes peering into the house.

" What you got going on?"

" I don't think that's any of your business..."

"Nah...what? Is it a girls night out or something? An appointment? Do you realize that we got a schedule about when we—"

" You ain't doing shit anyway Ace! So you can keep her! You damn sure have time now, especially with that loss you took last night!"

Before I could even say anything, Sandra hands her to me, and throws me a bag. I watched her shashay back to her car, but before she enters through— she turns and looks at me.

" Uh, might wanna go to the store and get some more diapers. She's running low on those..." Sandra says as she smiles. Soon, she pulled off.

At this point, I really just wanted to hit the pause button on my life. For real.

____